Solar cell array with changeable string length

Abstract

A solar cell array comprised of one or more solar cells attached to a substrate. The substrate includes one or more electrical connections to the solar cells and one or more switches for changing a string length for one or more of the solar cells by altering a current flow path between the one or more of the solar cells and one or more of the electrical connections.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A solar cell array, comprising:
 solar cells attached to a multi-layer substrate, wherein:   the multi-layer substrate includes one or more insulating layers separating one or more patterned metal layers, and the patterned metal layers form traces buried within the multi-layer substrate;   at least one of the solar cells has at least one cropped corner that defines a corner region;   an area of the multi-layer substrate remains exposed in the corner region;   the area of the multi-layer substrate that remains exposed in the corner region includes one or more electrical corner conductors attached to, printed on, or integrated with the multi-layer substrate that are electrically connected to the traces buried within the multi-layer substrate;   one or more contacts of the at least one of the solar cells are electrically connected to the one or more electrical corner conductors using one or more interconnects in the area of the multi-layer substrate that remains exposed in the corner region;   one or more switches positioned in the corner region, the one or more switches being connected to the traces within the multi-layer substrate, the one or more switches being controlled using one or more control signals, for changing a length of a string of one or more of the solar cells to generate a desired voltage output by altering a current flow path between one or more of the solar cells using the one or more contacts, the electrical corner conductors, and the traces buried within the multi-layer substrate, the string having a fixed output connection regardless of a status of the one or more switches; and   the traces buried within the multi-layer substrate are electrically isolated from the solar cells until the one or more switches electrically connect the traces to the solar cells,   wherein the one or more switches connects a back contact of a top left of the solar cells to a bypass diode and a next of the solar cells.   
     
     
         2 . The solar cell array of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more switches change the string length for the one or more of the solar cells in response to the one or more control signals. 
     
     
         3 . The solar cell array of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more switches change the string length to allow for reconfigurability of series connections and outputs between multiple strings. 
     
     
         4 . The solar cell array of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more switches combine two or more strings of the solar cells for the desired voltage output in response to the one or more control signals. 
     
     
         5 . A method for fabricating a solar cell array, comprising:
 attaching solar cells to a multi-layer substrate, wherein:   the multi-layer substrate includes one or more insulating layers separating one or more patterned metal layers, and the patterned metal layers form traces buried within the multi-layer substrate;   at least one of the solar cells has at least one cropped corner that defines a corner region;   an area of the multi-layer substrate remains exposed in the corner region;   the area of the multi-layer substrate that remains exposed in the corner region includes one or more electrical corner conductors attached to, printed on, or integrated with the multi-layer substrate that are electrically connected to the traces buried within the multi-layer substrate;   one or more contacts of the at least one of the solar cells are electrically connected to the electrical corner conductors using one or more interconnects in the area of the multi-layer substrate that remains exposed in the corner region;   one or more switches positioned in the corner region, the one or more switches being connected to the traces within the multi-layer substrate, the one or more switches being controlled using one or more control signals, for changing a length of a string of one or more of the solar cells to generate a desired voltage output by altering a current flow path between one or more of the solar cells using the one or more contacts, the electrical corner conductors, and the traces buried within the multi-layer substrate, the string having a fixed output connection regardless of a status of the one or more switches; and   the traces buried within the multi-layer substrate are electrically isolated from the solar cells until the one or more switches electrically connect the traces to the solar cells,   wherein the one or more switches connects a back contact of a top left of the solar cells to a bypass diode and a next lower left of the solar cells.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more switches change the string length for the one or more of the solar cells in response to the one or more control signals. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more switches change the string length to allow for reconfigurability of series connections and outputs between multiple strings. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more switches combine two or more strings of the solar cells for the desired voltage output in response to the one or more control signals. 
     
     
         9 . A method of operating a solar cell array, comprising:
 providing solar cells attached to a multi-layer substrate, wherein:   the multi-layer substrate includes one or more insulating layers separating one or more patterned metal layers, and the patterned metal layers form traces buried within the multi-layer substrate;   at least one of the solar cells has at least one cropped corner that defines a corner region;   an area of the multi-layer substrate remains exposed in the corner region;   the area of the multi-layer substrate that remains exposed in the corner region includes one or more electrical corner conductors attached to, printed on, or integrated with the multi-layer substrate that are electrically connected to the traces buried within the substrate;   one or more switches positioned in the corner region, the one or more switches being connected to the traces within the multi-layer substrate, the one or more switches being controlled using one or more control signals; and   activating one or more of the one or more switches for changing a length of a string of zere one or more of the solar cells to generate a desired voltage output by altering a current flow path between one or more of the solar cells using contacts, the electrical corner conductors, and the traces buried within the multi-layer substrate, the string having a fixed output connection regardless of a status of the one or more switches, wherein the traces buried within the multi- layer substrate are electrically isolated from the solar cells until the one or more switches electrically connect the traces to the solar cells,   wherein the one or more switches connects a back contact of a top left of the solar cells to a bypass diode and a next lower left of the solar cells.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more switches change the string length for the one or more of the solar cells in response to the one or more control sign als. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more switches change the string length to allow for reconfigurability of series connections and outputs between multiple strings. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more switches combine two or more strings of the solar cells for the desired voltage output in response to the one or more control signals. 
     
     
         13 . The solar cell array of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more switches are single-pole single-throw (SPST) switches. 
     
     
         14 . The solar cell array of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more switches are dual-pole single-throw (DPST) switches. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more switches are single-pole single-throw (SPST) switches. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more switches are dual-pole single-throw (DPST) switches. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more switches are single-pole single-throw (SPST) switches. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more switches are dual-pole single-throw (DPST) switches. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more switches are controlled independently using the one or more control signals. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more switches are controlled together using the one or more control signals.